Savannah Guthrie left a segment of the Today show early — but it was for good reason.
On the Dec. 10 episode of Today, Hoda Kotb was joined by Craig Melvin for part of the show, which she usually hosts alongside Guthrie. Mid-broadcast, Guthrie explained that she would be stepping away for another job.
“Somebody has to leave a little early,” Kotb, 60, said. “This is one of your favorite assignments you do every year.”
“Yes, we’re going to go to the Dole Foundation Heroes Gala tonight,” Guthrie, 52, shared. “It celebrates military caregivers, the people who care for our veterans, and heroes. Tom Hanks and I are doing our thing again tonight and we’ll see you tomorrow morning on Today with all of it.”
She added: “Caregiving is a family affair. It’s so important that we support those who are supporting our veterans — it’s a way that we can help give service as well.”
The tradition began in 2019 and has continued annually. In its inaugural year, Guthrie told PEOPLE she was excited to host the special for a good cause — and working with Hanks was a perk, too.
“Tom Hanks is just everything you hope he would be,” she gushed at the time. “You know, a huge a movie star, but so kind and humble and down-to-earth and kind and funny. I feel so grateful that our paths have crossed with this work with Hidden Heroes.”
She went on to say the Oscar winner “didn’t hesitate for one second” when he was approached about teaming up with Guthrie to shine a light on the caregivers and resources that Hidden Heroes offers.
“He was like, ‘Where, when? I’m there,’” she said. “And that’s how I think we all feel about this cause. Elizabeth Dole launched this a couple years ago, recognizing that our care for the caregivers is not where it should be, and that part of caring for our veterans is caring for those friends and family who are taking care of them every day. And she’s surrounding those caregivers with love, resources and support.”
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In less than a month, Kotb will be leaving Today after 17 years. She and Guthrie, along with Melvin and Al Roker, recently shared a bittersweet moment at their final Rockefeller Center tree lighting together.
In a sweet video shared by the Today show on Instagram, Guthrie, 52, and Kotb, 60, stood arm-in-arm as they watched snowflakes fall, and the emotions of the night seemed to hit Kotb as she looked lovingly at her longtime co-host, who leaned her head against Kotb’s shoulder and they shared a moment.
Kotb’s last day hosting will be Friday, Jan. 10, and Melvin will step into her role as co-host with Guthrie, starting on Monday, Jan. 13.
“You are made for this job,” Kotb told Melvin during her on-air announcement on Nov. 14. “You are literally made for this job. You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.”
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